Population 1880: White-11.464, colored-2,850, total 14,314
County Seat: Wytheville, Population 3,000
Vote of County November, 1886--Democrats, 814; Republicans- 1,272
Value of Real Estate, 1886: $2,679,588.30
Value of Personal Property: $1,010,688.00
Tax real estate: $10,721.84
Tax personal property: $4,042.79
Captation Tax: White, 2,346, colored, 432

Wythe County was formed from Montgomery in 1790. Its county boundaries are Bland on the north, Carroll and Grayson on the south, Pulaski on the east, and Smyth on the west. The greater part of the county is a mountain valley, included between Brush mountain on the northwest and Iron mountain on the southeast. There are several other mountains within the county, the two largest of which are known as Walker's and Dick mountains, dividing the county into three fertile valleys--Walker's Creek, Wythe Valley and Cripple Creek. Wythe Valley is an elevated table land, about 2,000 feet above the level of the sea.

The Norfolk and Western Railroad extends through the middle of the county from northwest to southeast, furnishing most excellent transportation facilities. The county is watered by New River, Reed Creek, Cripple Creek, Walker's Creek, and Peak Creek. The soil is well adapted to raising grain and the grasses.

Wytheville, the county seat, is on the line of the Norfolk and Western Railroad, 248 miles southwest from Richmond, and 55 miles from Abingdon, and contains a population of 3,000. The vicinity is rich in minerals, iron, lead, zinc and coal being abundant. Large investments have recently been made by northern capitalists in this locality, and Wytheville is destined to become a manufacturing town of no little importance. Very considerable interest is being manifested in the development and utlization of the various minerals. The town is well supplied with schools and churches, and the society is excellent, being largely augmented during the summers months by visitors from all parts of the South and Southwest. A fine mineral spring has recently been discovered near by, and its waters are conveyed in pipes to the centre of the town, forming a no inconsiderable attraction to visitors. A handsome park will soon be laid out near the centre of the town, and the waters referred to conveyed to a fountain to be placed therein. Within a short distance from Wytheville is located the State fish hatchery, which, under skillful management, is rapidly supplying the waters of Virginia with an abundance of the best varities of fish. As a business center Wytheville presents a more attractive appearance than any other town in Southwest Virginia. Wythe has an area of about 567¬ square miles, and the lands have an average assessed value of $7.40 per acre.

Post Offices

Barren Springs
Black Lick - Robt. C. Ashworth
Crockett Depot - W. D. Johnson
Foster's Falls - James A. Dyer
Graham's Forge
Ivanhoe Furnace
Jackson's Ferry
Kent's Mills - C. W. Callaghan
Max Meadows
Red Bluff - Cora Welbourne
Rural Retreat
Speedwell
Wytheville

Courts

The Circuit Court of the Fifteenth circuit meets at Wytheville on the first Monday in March and first Monday in September.

Judge: R. M. Brown
Clerk: William B. Foster

The County Court meets at Wytheville on the second Monday in each month.

Judge: G. J. Holbrook
Clerk: William B. Foster

County Officers

Sheriff: I. R. Harkerader
Treasurer: J. W. Repass
Surveyor: James M. Gibboney
Commissioners Revenue: W. B. Porter, J. R. Hilten
Commonwealth's Attorney: J. L. Gleaves

Agricultural Implements

Fox & Ewall, Wytheville
Maupin & Bruce - Wytheville
McWane, C. F. & Co. - Wytheville
Sexton, George, & Co. - Wytheville

Attorneys at Law

Blair, F. S. - Wytheville
Bolling, W. H. - Wytheville
Brown, C. H. - Wytheville
Buford, C.H. - Wytheville
Cardwell, M. M. - Wytheville
Caldwell, J. W. - Wytheville
Crockett, Robert - Wytheville
Fulton, J. H. - Wytheville
Gleaves, J. L. - Wytheville
Holbrook & Thomas - Wytheville
McTeer, James P. - Wytheville
Peirce, David S. - Wytheville
Poage, W. S. - Wytheville
Terry, William G. - Wytheville
Terry, B. W. - Wytheville
Walker & Walker - Wytheville
Yost, W. L. - Wytheville

Bakers

Beulcher, G. T. - Wytheville

Banks

Bank of Wytheville - Geo. R. Dunn, president, J. G. Brown, cashier - Wytheville
Farmer's Bank of Southwest Virginia--Isaac J. Leftwich, President, V. C. Huff, cashier - Wytheville
Wytheville Insurance and Banking Co. - H. G. Wadley, president, August Helser, Cashier - Wytheville

Boarding

Crockett, S. S., Mrs. - Wytheville
Lackey, Julia, Mrs. - Wytheville
Gibboney, Janey, Miss - Wytheville
Noel, M. E., Mrs. - Wytheville
Rich, Mary, Mrs. - Wytheville
Richardson, Charlotte, Mrs. - Wytheville
Sommerman, S. - Wytheville
Stuart, Mrs. - Wytheville

Books and Stationery

Heuser Bros. - Wytheville

Brick Manufacturers

Hufford & Crockett - Wytheville

Coach and Wagon Builders

Cregar & Welser - Wytheville
Foote & Johnston - Wytheville
Myers, W. A. - Rural Retreat
Terrell & Co. - Wytheville

Car, Wheel Manufacturers

Lobdell Car Wheel Co - Wytheville

Clothiers

Frank & Co. - Wytheville
Stern Bros. - Wytheville

Dentists

Candler, R. P. & Co. - Wytheville
Davis, E. H. - Rural Retreat
Farmer & Stuart - Wytheville
Nye, W. P - Wytheville
Umbarger, E. W. - Wytheville

Distillers

Candler, R. D. - Rural Retreat

Druggists

Aumann, James - Wytheville
Candler, R. D. - Rural Retreat
Heuser, H. J. - Wytheville
Poage, R. L. & Co. - Wytheville

Fertilizers

Sexton, Geo. S. & Co. - Wytheville
Speller, W. H. - Wytheville

Furniture Dealers

Gibboney, J. H. & Co. - Wytheville
Rich, W. W. - Wytheville
Seagle, J. F. & Son - Wytheville

General Merchants

Bruce, G. S. - Wytheville
Bumgardner, Charles - Rural Retreat
Calfee, Robinson & Co. - Barron Springs
Callaghan & Yates - Kent's Mills
Crockett & Co. - Crockett's Depot
Earle, J. J. - Ivanhoe Furnace
Effert, H. A. - Rural Retreat
Fisher, S. O. & Bro. - Wytheville
Foster Falls Mining Co. - Foster Falls
Graham & Robinson - Graham Forge
Green & Gibboney - Wytheville
Harrison & Co. - Wytheville
Hemetite Iron Co. - Foster Falls
Hicks, J. M. - Rural Retreat
Howe, W. H. - Rural Retreat
James, J. M. - Speedwell
Jackson, M. - Rural Retreat
Lester, J. W. - Crockett's Depot
Lobdell Car Wheel Co. - Max Meadows
Mills, George T. - Foster Falls
Moore, James W. - Speedwell
New River Mining Co. - Wytheville
Painter, W. H. - Ivanhoe Furnace
Phelps, E. McG. - Wytheville
Robinson & Blair - Max Meadows
Richmond, W. A. - Rural Retreat
Rowe, Benjamin - Speedwell
Rowe & Walters - Black Lick
Shannon & Bumgardner - Rural Retreat
Shores, R. K. - Wytheville
Speedwell Mine & Iron Co. - Speedwell
Spence, J. W. - Rural Retreat
Spiller, W. H. - Wytheville
Topham Bros. - Wytheville
Walton & Rowe - Black Lick
Ward, J. E. - Crockett's Depot
Wilson, J. H. - Crockett's Depot
Wolfender Bros. - Wytheville
Wood, Thomas & Co. - Max Meadows

Grocers

Buell, Douglass - Wytheville
Neighbors, A. B. - Wytheville
Scott, J. F. - Wytheville
Sexton, George S. & Co. - Wytheville
Wappert, T. P. - Wytheville

Hardware

Ewald, Joseph - Wytheville
Green & Gibbony - Wytheville
Maupin & Bruce - Wytheville

Hotels

Boyd's--Thos. J. Boyd, proprietor - Wytheville
Brown, J. H. - Rural Retreat
Fourth Ave. Hotel - G. J. Holbrook, Properietor - Wytheville
Lewis, William - Foster Falls
Hancock House, L. D. Hancock, proprietor - Wytheville
Mountain View - John Kelly proprietor - Wytheville
Sumerly, James M. - Rural Retreat
Western, R. K. Shore, proprietor - Wytheville

Insurance Agents

Brown, J. G. - Wytheville
Gibboney, J. Hal & Co. - Wytheville
Terry & Terry - Wytheville

Insurance Companies -Fire

Virginia Fire & Marine, Noel & Brown agents - Wytheville
Virginia State, J. Hal Gibboney - Wytheville
Wytheville Insurance & Banking Co. - Wytheville

Iron Founders and Machinists

Foster Falls M. & M Co. - Foster Falls
McDonald, E. H - Wytheville
McWane, C. P. & Co. - Wytheville

Livery Stables

Candler, R. D. - Rural Retreat
Harkerader, I. R. - Wytheville
Hatcher, A. D. - Wytheville

Lumber Dealers

Clark, Blessing & Co. - Wytheville
Gibboney & Son - Wytheville

Marble Works

Brighwell, W. B. - Wytheville
Repass, Crosby & Davis - Wytheville

Millinery

Richardson, C., Mrs. - Wytheville
Rosenheim, R. S. Mrs. - Wytheville
Short, B. B., Mrs. - Wytheville

Mills -- Corn and Flour

Callaghans & Yates - Kent's Mills
Fisher, Hilton J. - Crockett's Depot
Graham & Robinson - Graham's Forge
Harkerader, I. R. - Crockett's Depot
Neff, B. H. - Rural Retreat
Perkins, J. R. - Crockett Depot
Robinson, E. H. - Red Bluff
Roper & Thawn - Max Meadows
Staley, E. H. - Red Bluff
Warden, John - Red Bluff
Slater & Sayers - Wytheville
Keeslings - Cedar Springs

Mills-Planing

Rich, W. W. & Son - Wytheville

Mills - Woollen

Callaghan & Yates - Kent's Mills

Mines - Iron

Cripple Creek Iron & Manufacturing Co. - Ivanhoe Furnace
Foster Falls M. & M. Co. - Foster Falls
Hemetite Iron Co. - Foster Falls
Iron Mountain Co. - Wytheville
Oglesby, A. M. - Foster Falls
Speedwell Iron Co. - Speedwell

Mining Casting Manufacturers

McWane, C. P. & Co. - Wytheville

Mines - Zinc

Bertha Zinc Mine - Wytheville
Wythe Lead and Zinc Co. - Wytheville
Wythe Mining Co. - Wytheville

Newspapers

Patriot and Herald (weekly, Republican), J. C. Pendleton, Editor, I. V. Yonce, manager - Wytheville
Southwest Virginia Enterprise (semi-weekly), Independent Enterprise Publishing Co. - Wytheville
Wytheville Dispatch (weekly Democrat), F. H. Terry, editor & Proprietor - Wytheville

Printers--Book and Job

Enterprise Publishing Co. - Wytheville
St. Clair, D. A. - Wytheville

Newsdealers

Bailey, E. H. - Wytheville

Photographers

Johnston, W. A. - Wytheville
Noel, W. B. - Wytheville

Physicians

Auman, James M. - Wytheville
Buck, W. W. - Rural Retreat
Burk, D. W. - Rural Retreat
Crockett, A. G. - Foster Falls
Crockett, H. S. - Rural Retreat
Gibboney, James - Wytheville
Gleaves, C. W. - Wytheville
Gleaves, S. C. - Wytheville
Green, Peyton B. - Wytheville
Haller, J. P. - Crockett Depot
Haller, W. P. - Wytheville
Moore, R. E. - Wytheville
Pepper, C. T. - Rural Retreat
Pierce, J. B. - Ivanhoe Furnace
Pierce, William - Red Bluff
Ribble, W. H. - Wytheville
Saunders, R. W. - Max Meadows
Sayers, S. R. - Wytheville

Plumbers and Gas Fitters

Mill, J. H. - Wytheville

Saddlers and Harnessmakers

Brown, W. E. - Black Lick
Ewald, J. H. & Bro. - Wytheville
Kesner, G. P. - Crockett Depot
Sexton, J. C. - Wytheville

Schools

Pettit, Mary A., Mrs. - Wytheville
Plumer Female College - Rev. S. R. Preston, principal - Wytheville
Trinity Hall (Female) School, Rev. A. Phillippi, principal - Wytheville
Wytheville Female Seminary, Mrs. T. R. Dew, Principal - Wytheville
Wytheville Male College, A. A. Campbell, Principal - Wytheville

There are 61 white and 10 colored public schools in this county. Superintendent, G. R. Huffard, Wytheville

Stores, Tin and Sheet-Iron Works

Ewald, Joseph - Wytheville
Maupin & Bruce - Wytheville
Patterson, C. E. - Wytheville

Tailors

Dyer, E. - Wytheville
Rider & Crowder - Wytheville

Tanners

Ewald, J. H. & Bro. - Wytheville
Wampler, L. P. - Crockett Depot

Undertakers

Gibboney, J. Hal & Co. - Wytheville
Lambert, William - Rural Retreat
Rich, W. W. - Wytheville
Seagle, J. F. & Co. - Wytheville
Stacy, E. P. - Rural Retreat

Watchmakers and Jewelers

Heilig, A. M. - Wytheville
Heuser, Brothers - Wytheville
Neighbors, W. H. - Wytheville

Wool Dealers

Callaghan & Yates - Kent's Mills
Ward, J. E. - Crockett Depot

Principal Farmers

Black Lick--J. S. Ashworth, Wm. Davis, Capt. W. J. Howe, S. W. Repass, M. Cassell, J. C. Brown, Stephen Umbarger, Col. Josiah Brown, J. F. Goodman, P. W. Hounshell, W. F. Loyd, C. D. Doak

Crockett Depot--D. H. Porter, J. M. Porter, E. Copenhaver, Jno. King, L. P. Wampler, J. R. Harkrader, A. J. Phillips, J. E. Ward

Foster Falls--Wm. H. Carter, J. J. Baker, A. M. Oglesby, Robt. Jackson, Thomas M. Jackson, J. P. M. Sanders, L. D. Sanders, Wm. J. Roper

Ivanhoe Furnace--Jas. T. Early, William O. Moore, Andrew Umbarger, A. C. Moore, J. P. M. Zimmerman, Thomas Blair, Richard Jackson, John Jackson, Geo. Jackson, W. M. Painter, H. C. Groom, R. E. L. Huddle, B. F. Kitchen, George W. Dunford, James Fisher

Kent's Mills--W. G. Peery, H. G. Brown, R. R. More, R. H. Allen, Col. Ro. Sawyer, C. S. Holston, Alex Holston, J. G. Kent, Brown Cassell, D. Cassell, G. Cassell, P. J. Davis, Benton Willy, Wm. Calhoun, Geo. Jones

Red Bluff--Samuel Bralley, E. H. Robinson, Andrew Umbarger, John Huddle, Samuel Bralley, Jr., Samuel Porter, T. J. Johnson, W. D. Acre, W. O. Moven, G. W. Hollingsworth, M. Sweeker, John Hurt

Wytheville--Jas. Shaffer, R. C. Kent, H. Vernon, S. P. Ewald, A. S. Huffman, G. B. Repass, N. H. Repass, D. G. Blessing, Mrs. E. S. Trinkle, J. G. Kegley., Henry Bourne, R. R. Moore, T. A. Marshall, W. C. Marshall, S. P. Browning, John M. Wilson, Mrs. A. B. Lawson, J. H. Pittison, Robert A. Calfee, Samuel Cassel, J. Brown Cassel, E. C. Burton, H. J. Crow, R. H. Crow, John Williams, Simon Umberger, Alexander Umberger, M. L. Umberger, James Fisher, Jacob Fisher, R. N. Pendleton, Mann Pendleton, C. R. Fountain, J. N. Foster, William Crockett, J. G. Crockett, S. R. Crockett, Andrew Hafford.